UEFA Champions League Player Picks – Quarterfinals, 2nd Leg

I will be honest with you: I have never witnessed such a one-sided 1st leg of quarterfinals in my already 15+ years romance with Champions League. Here are some quick facts:

• Real Madrid did the job in Turin with scoring three goals and securing Paulo Dybala won’t travel to Madrid due to the suspension. He is arguably their most creative and star player and he will be bitterly missed. Yes, Miralem Pjanic will be back, but I’m afraid the train has already gone.
• Barcelona, as predicted, didn’t want any unnecessary surprises, so scored four at Camp Nou against unlucky Roma. Can you believe that the Italians will score at least three and keep Messi quiet in Rome? You must be insane.
• Bayern Munich had to get from behind after Sevilla took a well-deserved lead (and should have scored more) in the first half. The task was successfully accomplished and the Germans come home with a win and two away goals. There is still a chance left for yet another miracle for Sevilla, if you remember the turn of events at Old Trafford couple weeks ago. But this will be against all the odds and just consider this:

1. They are led by one of the most pragmatic coaches in the world: Jump Heynckes
2. Bayern play in front of the home crowd and pride means a lot to Germans
3. If compared to the games against Manchester, Sevilla with have to score at least two and don’t concede. While I see them potentially coping with a scoring task, but can’t imagine Bayern not scoring at home (14 goals were scored in four home matches by Bayern in 2017/2018 season. Easy math, right?)

• The fourth quarterfinal result was jaw-dropping and only life-time Liverpool fans will claim that they expected it to end in a 3:0 defeat of almost crowned Premier League champion. Manchester City left Anfield with no shorts on target, but will remember the 5:0 humiliation of Liverpool at Etihad back in the beginning of the season. Game on, right? To be consistent, I have to say that the chances are low, as that’s what I stated about Juventus. The only difference is that the Citizens will play at home and it’s still Dejan Lovren, Ragnar Klavan and Loris Karius in Liverpool’s backline.

Will the above said, here are my “unexpected” picks, based on the teams’ motivation:

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Goalkeepers

Sven Ulreich

A keeper value is in potential clean sheets. Only. He is the one with the best chances.

Marc-Andre ter Stegen

The German has the 2nd best chance to keep his goal closed, but it remains to be seen, if Barca will take the game seriously.

Keylor Navas

Juventus lost their most influential attacker and will be travelling. There is a chance that the tie is already over in their heads, meaning higher chances for Keylor’s clean sheet.

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Defenders

Samuel Umtiti / Gerard Pique

Pique simply loves scoring against any sort of opposition, while Samuel was rested during the weekend and therefore should be a guaranteed starter. I see a potential clean sheet for the Catalans.

Vincent Kompany

Vincent has not only regained his fitness, but he returned to the scoring ways. He had one against Manchester United and was a constant threat on set pieces. Pep will need them all in attack and why not the big Belgian scoring again?

Mats Hummels / Jerome Boateng

As I read mixed reports on the fitness of David Alaba, it’s not a time for experiments at this stage of a season. Go with safe and guaranteed German duo, who are on top a constant threat from set pieces. If I expect any clean sheet in Champions League this week, this is in Munich.

Marcelo

The Brazilian magician keeps banging important goals and should be allowed to attack more often in a return leg at Bernabeu. With Sergio Ramos being suspended, can’t see any more Fantasy value in Madrid defence.

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Midfielders

Kevin de Bruyne

The Belgian deserves a separate paragraph. Shocked typing this, but he was rested against Manchester United and City lost it in the centre of a park without him. He will be obviously right back and is capable of providing his team with some much needed spark.

Raheem Sterling / Leroy Sane

These two lightning-quick wingers have been exceptional this season, but both were bit off the boil in recent weeks. Especially Raheem, who missed a handful of chances over the weekend. If City score early, it will be a long and nervy evening for all Liverpool supporters and both Sterling and Sane can thrive in such atmosphere.

Thiago Alcantara / Joshua Kimmich / James Rodriguez

James scored and assisted over the weekend and is slowly showing his potential in a Bayern t-shirt. Took him a while though. Bayern will want to finish the game off early and James is my preferred attacking option in that midfield. Alcantara is on free kicks and has a history of scoring stunning goals from long-range, while Kimmich is an assist machine, though playing as a defensive wing-back.

Isco

He is yet to show his real self in a Madrid t-shirt. How come? Look at his performances for the Spanish national team. He didn’t have the best first game, but should start at Bernabeu too and have another run on that ageing Juve defence.

Ivan Rakitic

In my view, Ivan isn’t getting the credit he deserves. He should be up for yet another tireless performance and he is always in a penalty box to convert Alba’s cross or score from a rebound. I prefer him to Andreas Iniesta these days simply because of the energy levels.

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Forwards

Sergio Aguero

He made it back from the injury in the Manchester derby, but was reduced to less than half a time from the bench. He must start as Jesus looked sluggish lately to say the least. It will be an all-in game for City and they need their star attacked to wake up in a good mood. I’m buying him, are you with me?

Roberto Firmino / Sadio Mane / Mohamed Salah

The status of Salah’s injury is yet to be communicated, but he missed the weekend game. Firmino was rested. Sadio Mane got 74 minutes. Liverpool didn’t score against mediocre (at least these days) Everton backline. Can Liverpool resist City’s pressure and still be able to score without their talisman? My pick would be Firmino.

Robert Lewandowski / Thomas Muller

Bayern is one of two teams, who would prefer to score and kill this encounter off early. Both are in great form lately and I can’t see Jupp resting any from his starting eleven, as they need to complete the job. The Polish predator will cost you 1,2 million more, but that’s the premium you need to pay for a nailed-on forward in the 2nd leg quarterfinal home game.

Cristiano Ronaldo

One of the best players in a football history, who keeps enjoying himself in this Champions League season. Must have, no matter the opponent.

Lionel Messi

Read above.

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Those were my thoughts and picks. As I rate City v. Liverpool as the only game of interest in the 2nd leg, let’s have a quick poll to see, if you share my view of City being capable of a come-back:

Thank you for reading us!

Alexey